Archive: 8 May 2000
52 articles found
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Absolute democracy 'can destroy UMNO'
Absolute democracy 'can destroy UMNO' KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Absolute democracy cannot be practiced by Malaysia's ruling United Malaysia's National Organization (UMNO) because it could ruin the party, a report quoted Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as saying on Sunday. Abdullah, heir apparent to Premier Mahathir Mohamad, said while UMNO upheld democracy, there were times when it had to apply a "little brake" to its practices to protect the party from falling apart.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
RI pledges to cut spending, optimize tax collection
RI pledges to cut spending, optimize tax collection CHIANG MAI, Thailand (DPA): In the face of mounting public debt, Indonesia plans to rein in budget spending on large-scale civil projects this year while improving its tax collection, Indonesian Finance Minister Bambang Sudibyo said on Sunday. Sudibyo said Indonesia's official foreign debt had reached US$75.9 billion this year, with private sector debt at $72.2 billion.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government to issue regulation on autonomy soon
Government to issue regulation on autonomy soon By Ridwan M. Sijabat JAKARTA (JP): The government is set to issue this week a much awaited regulation which will delineate authority in regional autonomy in 2001. But as the draft regulation and senior officials at the Office of the State Ministry of Regional Autonomy indicate, the regional autonomy plan is not designed as a power-sharing scheme but is aimed more at promoting democracy and the equitable distribution of wealth. Andi A.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
To meritorious teachers
To meritorious teachers From Pikiran Rakyat I have five children, all university graduates, and four grandchildren. Let me suggest a few things to the teachers now struggling to improve their living conditions. 1) I am very concerned to learn that teachers, meaning those who have completed their teacher's training secondary school (SPG) education and have been teaching dozens of years as non- permanent teachers, earn only about Rp 70,000 a month.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Consumer confidence slips in April: Danareksa survey
Consumer confidence slips in April: Danareksa survey JAKARTA (JP): After two months of consecutive gains, consumer confidence dropped in April due to continuing infighting among the country's political elite, according to a monthly consumer confidence survey conducted by state PT Danareksa Securities. The securities firm said the drop might signal that consumers were getting tired of the "unstoppable momentum of domineering political issues".
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Pickpockets on buses
Pickpockets on buses From Neraca Recently I took a Mayasari Bakti bus heading along the Pulogadung-Kampung Rambutan route. As we approached Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan, a well dressed man intentionally stepped on my foot, which shocked me as it was quite painful. At the same time I felt someone shoving his hand in my shirt pocket. I grabbed my mobile phone and elbowed the man stepping on my foot, but the mobile phone fell to the floor of the bus.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Midplaza ready with fiber optic network for broadband access
Midplaza ready with fiber optic network for broadband access JAKARTA (JP): To offer the best service to its tenants in this information era, Midplaza, an office-building complex located on Jl. Sudirman, has introduced its Fiber Optic Communications System. This has set Midplaza apart from other high-rise office buildings in the capital's business district.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Abdurrahman Wahid warns off detractors
Abdurrahman Wahid warns off detractors JAKARTA (JP): Political tempests continue to hit the government of President Abdurrahman Wahid, who claimed on Saturday that there were continuous attempts by certain ambitious individuals to discredit him and his government.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
City Hall warns defiant parking lot operators
City Hall warns defiant parking lot operators JAKARTA (JP): City administration is to send its first warning letters on Monday to stubborn private parking lot operators, who disparage the city regulation by continuing to charge higher parking fees than the official rate, officials said on Friday.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Military chief admits 'dead or alive' order
Military chief admits 'dead or alive' order BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Chief of Lilawangsa Military overseeing North Aceh, Pidie, and West and East Aceh Col. Syafnil Armen admitted here on Saturday that he ordered his troops to capture Islamic religious teacher Tengku Bantaqiah and his followers "dead or alive" last year.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
State prosecutors to visit West and East Timor
State prosecutors to visit West and East Timor JAKARTA (JP): A team of state prosecutors investigating last year's violence in East Timor will visit the territory and the neighboring Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara sometime in the middle of this month, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said on Sunday. "The visit will probably take place in mid-May or after May 15 and the team will go to Kupang and Atambua first," Marzuki told The Jakarta Post by phone.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Modest school delights poor Pedongkelan children
Modest school delights poor Pedongkelan children JAKARTA (JP): Unlike many girls her age, Titi, 11, does not begin the day by eating breakfast and getting ready for school. Titi instead spends her mornings helping her mother take care of her baby brother in the family's five-by-six meter tin-roofed, plywood-walled house in the Pedongkelan slum in East Jakarta.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Tangerang blast puzzle police
Tangerang blast puzzle police JAKARTA (JP): Tangerang Police detectives submitted to the National Police forensics laboratory (Puslabfor) fragments of a schoolbag which exploded on Thursday evening in front of the Mitra supermarket in Telaga Sari village, Cikupa. The 6 p.m. blast seriously injured high school students Tutilawati, 18, a resident of Pasar Kemis, Tangerang, and Lo'ot, 17, also a resident of Pasar Kemis.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Death toll in Sulawesi quake reaches 38
Death toll in Sulawesi quake reaches 38 MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): More bodies were found on Sunday in areas hit by Thursday's earthquake, and several people made homeless by the quake in Central Sulawesi died of disease, bringing the death toll to 38. The secretary of the Banggai regency administration, M.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Social responsibility in business
Social responsibility in business This is the first of two articles on business responsibility by Mayling Oey-Gardiner and Peter Gardiner, both social scientists and principal investigators in a factory human rights audit for the Reebok shoe producer, to be referred to in the following edition. JAKARTA (JP): Business is no longer just about maximizing profits. Today consumers make other demands on businesses.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
S&P might upgrade RI rating
S&P might upgrade RI rating CHIANG MAI, Thailand (Dow Jones): Standard & Poor's Corp. could upgrade Indonesia's debt ratings within the next few months, according to an official at the ratings firm. Takahira Ogawa, the chief Asian sovereign credit analyst at S&P, told a seminar Sunday that Indonesia's rating could be lifted to triple-C or single-B within a few months. Currently, Indonesia is rated as "selective default," meaning it has had defaults.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Indofood gets AA+ rating
Indofood gets AA+ rating JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed food producer PT Indofood Sukses Makmur has received an AA+ rating, with a stable outlook, from state rating agency PT Pemeringkat Efek Indonesia (Pefindo). "It is the highest rating issued in Indonesia so far," company president Eva Riyanti Hutapea said over the weekend. Eva said the high rating was partly due to Indofood's plan to issue a Rp 1 trillion (US$125 million) denominated bond in June, which would mature in five years.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police called on to hand over suspects
Police called on to hand over suspects TANGERANG (JP): The local prosecutors office strongly urged the police on Saturday to immediately hand over two drug case suspects, believed to have been freed by police officers for unknown reasons. "Until today, the two suspected drug dealers have not been sent to us," prosecutor Siti Zahara, who is handling the case, told reporters. She said the complete dossiers along with the evidence were handed over to her office by the police last month.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Motives behind slanderous lies?
Motives behind slanderous lies? I am sure that former minister of investment and enterprises development Laksamana Sukardi is devastated over the public character assassination by President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur). We all know that Gus Dur is wise and smart but I have to question whether his "whisperers" are, too. I feel very sad and concerned that President Gus Dur's handicap is being exploited by his "whisperers" and I question the motives behind the slanderous lies. Who is next?
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
U.S. trade mission due here
U.S. trade mission due here JAKARTA (JP): Representatives of Singapore-based American companies will embark on a "business mission" in Indonesia to explore investment opportunities. The mission, supported by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) and the American Embassy in Singapore, is scheduled to arrive here on Sunday for a four-day visit. The American Embassy in Jakarta said on Saturday that during the four-day visit, the delegation would meet President Abdurrahman Wahid.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Militant Islamic group
Militant Islamic group If I'm not mistaken, it was another Islamic militant group who staged a demonstration in front of Merdeka Palace last month. The Jakarta Post has referred to the wrong group on its front page on May 2, 2000 titled Gus Dur slams abuse of religion by certain groups. The Post should clarify this matter to the public and continue to report their threatening activities as these two groups have disrupted the public peace by their actions.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Tourist guides set up rival body
Tourist guides set up rival body KUTA, Bali: The Indonesian Reform Tourist Guides Committee (KPRI) was established here on Sunday, shrugging off protests from the government-sanctioned Indonesian Tourist Guide Association (HPI) and the provincial administration. A ceremony held at Hotel Sahid here to mark the inception of KPRI was attended by hundreds of tourists guides. None of the government officials who were invited attended the event.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Short term bullish view at JSX likely
Short term bullish view at JSX likely JAKARTA (JP): The upward movement in share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) is likely to continue this week on positive developments on the country's political and economic fronts, equity analysts say. Budi Hikmat of PT Bahana Securities said over the weekend that a number of investors had begun to take a bullish view of the market last week when political tension caused by the Cabinet reshuffle finally subsided.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
East Asia agrees to currency accord
East Asia agrees to currency accord CHIANG MAI, Thailand (AP): A landmark currency cooperation agreement between 13 East Asian nations to fight future economic crises was welcomed cautiously on Sunday by the United States, which shot down more ambitious proposals by Japan in 1997 to create an Asian monetary fund to bail out regional economies. The Americans in 1997 felt an Asian fund would rival the Washington-based International Monetary Fund's ability to deal with economic crises.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Hyacinth turns a Yogyakartan into millionaire
Hyacinth turns a Yogyakartan into millionaire By Kartika Bagus C. YOGYAKARTA (JP): If you think that water hyacinths are useless, you are dead wrong. Baruna, a 40-year-old Yogyakartan has become a millionaire thanks to his use of the plant. Unlike most people, Baruna doesn't treat hyacinths like rubbish simply because they cause siltation in lakes, reservoirs and swamps. No, he makes them into fashionable sandals instead.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Alleged thief beaten to death
Alleged thief beaten to death BOGOR (JP): An unidentified man was beaten to death by angry locals when he allegedly tried to snatch a motorbike belonging to Mohamad Ashari, a resident of Babakan Rawa Haur in Sentul village on Saturday. As of Sunday afternoon, no one had claimed the body, stored at the Bogor PMI Hospital morgue. According to Ashari, an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver, the incident took place around 9 a.m. when two people asked him to drop them in Kampung Babakan Haur.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
On Chinese newspapers
On Chinese newspapers It is true that before the reform era Chinese Indonesians were not allowed to hold government and political posts. The Indonesians of Chinese descent were only allowed to work in the economic sector. No one can deny the fact that Indonesia's economy is run by the ethnic Chinese. This is probably the reason why you find many Chinese businessmen and why they are more successful than other ethnic groups. I do not see the reasons why Mr.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Government fights fuel smuggling activities
Government fights fuel smuggling activities JAKARTA (JP): The government will establish a joint team comprising state oil and gas company Pertamina, the military, the police force and the General Attorney's Office to fight rampant fuel smuggling activities, a senior government official says. Inspector General Muzani Syukur of the Ministry of Mines and Energy said last week that the team would not only investigate fuel smugglers but would also bring them to court.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
The ISP is your gateway to the Net
The ISP is your gateway to the Net Imagine you are arriving at the international airport of an exotic country. Hordes of tourists disembark at the same time as you. Unfortunately, at the passport control area, only three gates are open. You have no choice but to stand in line for an hour. A similar thing happens if the ones and zeros sent by your PC's modem to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) clog its computer.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
IFC restructures RI firm
IFC restructures RI firm JAKARTA (JP): The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a subsidiary of the World Bank, has finished restructuring the finances of viscose rayon producer PT South Pacific Viscose to help maintain the company's position as a major supplier in Asia. The restructure will increase South Pacific's capital and reschedule its debts, IFC said in a statement on Saturday.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Observers condemn action of Banser
Observers condemn action of Banser JAKARTA (JP): Media organizations and observers condemned on Sunday the exaggerated action of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) civilian guards in Surabaya, who rallied at and occupied the Jawa Pos daily's offices for reporting alleged corruption practices by executives of the country's largest Muslim organization. The occupation caused the daily to forego its Sunday edition, resulting in a total loss of Rp 1 billion, its managing editor, Arief Affandi, said.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Local FM Hamdani outclasses GM Antonio at JAPFA Open
Local FM Hamdani outclasses GM Antonio at JAPFA Open JAKARTA (JP): FIDE Master (FM) Hamdani Rudin of West Java managed a surprise defeat of Grand Master (GM) Rogelio Antonio of the Philippines in the fifth round of the JAPFA International Open chess tournament at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur on Sunday. Using the Sicilia defense, Hamdani took control of the game in the 22nd move after Antonio, whose elo rating is 2,551, made a technical error.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Apjati rejects decree on new minimum capital
Apjati rejects decree on new minimum capital JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Labor Export Companies (Apjati) has rejected a 1999 ministerial decree requiring labor export companies to have Rp 1 billion in minimum capital. "None of the 425 labor export firms grouped in the association will comply with the decree because it will be ineffective in providing protection for workers," the Apjati chairman, Abdulla Umar, told The Jakarta Post by phone on Saturday.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Removing rearview mirrors
Removing rearview mirrors From Kompas I've had the unpleasant experience of my rearview mirrors being stolen four times. On the first three occasions, criminals forcefully removed them from my Mercedes in broad daylight. The fourth occasion happened on Jl. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta, leading towards Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto, Central Jakarta about 9:30 a.m. on April 7. The criminals were four 15 year-olds who within seconds had removed the rearview mirrors off my automobile.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Ramos-Horta urges total review of Timor Gap treaty
Ramos-Horta urges total review of Timor Gap treaty SYDNEY (AFP): East Timorese leader Jose Ramos-Horta called on Sunday for Australia to waive its rights to millions of dollars in oil royalties under a contentious treaty drawn up with Indonesia. Ramos-Horta told ABC radio the Timor Gap Treaty, signed between Australia and Indonesia in 1989, should be renegotiated to better serve the people of East Timor.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition by Kelompok Isola Bandung, Galeri TC, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 24A, South Jakarta (Phone: 7194278), 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until May 20. * Painting Exhibition: Pelepasan Energi by Sulan, at Indo Steak Restaurant, Menara Kadin, 2nd fl, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Blok 3-5, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., until May 11. * Sculpture Exhibition: Klein Plastiek, at Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5252321), 8 a.m.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
More police for tourists
More police for tourists DENPASAR: The local police increased the size of its Tourist Police force and improved their facilities in a bid to curb crimes committed by foreigners on the island, an officer said on Saturday. Bali Police spokesman Lt. Col. Y. Suyatmo said here his office had named 14 foreigners as criminal suspects during the first three months of the year. The suspects were mostly implicated in fraud cases, while the remaining foreigners were involved in drug cases, he said.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police arrest five men for train derailment attempt
Police arrest five men for train derailment attempt PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Five people, including three teenagers, were arrested on Friday for an attempt to derail a business-class passenger train plying an intercity route, an official has said.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
RI must abandon fiscal stimulus, pursue fiscal sustainability: WB
RI must abandon fiscal stimulus, pursue fiscal sustainability: WB JAKARTA (JP): Shackled by the exploding public debt level, the new government of President Abdurrahman Wahid is being advised by the World Bank to pursue fiscal sustainability to ensure a durable and sustained economic recovery.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Investors may pull out of RI over worker protests: Sofyan
Investors may pull out of RI over worker protests: Sofyan BANDUNG, West Java (JP): At least 20 foreign manufacturing companies in Jakarta and West Java may pull out of Indonesia over concerns with worker demonstrations, Indonesian Business Council chairman Sofyan Wanandi said on Saturday. Sofyan said the 20 companies, mostly owned by South Korean investors, included 13 firms operating in Jakarta and its surrounding areas, and seven in Karawang, West Java.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Masked mobs torch kiosks, discotheque
Masked mobs torch kiosks, discotheque BOGOR (JP): A group of 100 masked-men brandishing sharp weapons and wooden sticks raided and burned nine dimly lit kiosks and a discotheque at Kampung Kemang and Kampung Kirey at noon Sunday. According to witnesses, the reason for the attack remains unclear as the kiosks only sell drinks, including alcoholic beverages, to their customers. No fatalities were reported in the fray as losses in the incident were still being calculated.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Merpati books Rp 97.7 billion in profit after two years in red
Merpati books Rp 97.7 billion in profit after two years in red SURABAYA (JP): State-owned domestic air carrier PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines booked a pretax profit of Rp 97.9 billion (US$12.3 million) last year, a turnaround from a net loss position in the previous two years. The airline's president Wahyu Hidayat said Merpati was previously in the red with a net loss of Rp 653.3 billion in 1998 and Rp 417.7 billion in 1997. "Merpati is still alive. We are improving.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Kartini binti Karim gains freedom, returns home
Kartini binti Karim gains freedom, returns home JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian migrant worker Kartini binti Karim, who was once sentenced to be stoned to death for suspected adultery, has returned home to freedom. Accompanied by a Ministry of Manpower official, Kartini flew from Dubai and arrived here in Jakarta late on Friday night and was immediately taken to her home Karawang, West Java. She had served nine months in Fujairah State Prison.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Soccer body to question suspected drug users
Soccer body to question suspected drug users JAKARTA (JP): The disciplinary commission of the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) will invite three players who are allegedly consuming shabu-shabu (crystal methamphethamine) for verification next Saturday in Malang, East Java.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Gus Dur, Marubeni boss to decide Chandra Asri's fate
Gus Dur, Marubeni boss to decide Chandra Asri's fate JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid and the president of Japanese giant trading house Marubeni Corp. will soon meet here to discuss the fate of financially troubled petrochemical giant PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Center, a senior minister said here on Saturday. Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie said the President would make a final decision on Chandra Asri's financial problems.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Portuguese reporters denied entry
Portuguese reporters denied entry ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: Belu Police in East Nusa Tenggara refused entrance to two Portuguese journalists because they did not posses permits from the local immigration office. "We stopped the two journalists because they only had permits from the Indonesian consulate in Dili, but failed to secure permits from the local immigration office," Belu Police chief Lt. Col. S.M. Simatupang told Antara news agency on Saturday.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
More rain to come, BMG official predicts
More rain to come, BMG official predicts JAKARTA (JP): Expect more rain. That's the prediction for the coming week in many areas across the country. The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) head of public relations, Waan Tarmin, said that the current bout of wet weather was a natural phenomenon during the transitional period before the start of a dry season.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Low-class theaters resort to erotic films to lure moviegoers
Low-class theaters resort to erotic films to lure moviegoers JAKARTA (JP): Watching a movie at a low-class theater might be a boring experience for those not interested in the kind of film that showcases an abundance of nudity and sex. Such movies often do not have clear storylines, but compensate with plenty of sex, which is typical of the pornographic film industry as a whole.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Protecting rare animal species
Protecting rare animal species Thank you for your recent feature articles on two of the exotic animal species found in Indonesia. The temporary capture of a living specimen of the rare Sulawesi civet was quite remarkable. Those responsible are to be commended for documenting this unique animal, and especially for releasing it unharmed back in its native habitat. The accompanying article describing the plight of the orangutan was particularly informative.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Police arrest boxer over alleged taxi robbery attempt
Police arrest boxer over alleged taxi robbery attempt JAKARTA (JP): Mampang police detectives of South Jakarta arrested a local boxer on Saturday evening for allegedly attempting to rob a taxi driver at dagger-point on Jl. Mampang Prapatan V. South Jakarta Police chief of detectives Maj. Ahmad Alwi identified the suspect as Tinus Nero, 32, a resident of Jl. Legoso, Pisangan subdistrict of Ciputat, Tangerang. The victim was identified as R.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Ship sinks off Ambon waters, 36 dead
Ship sinks off Ambon waters, 36 dead AMBON, Maluku (JP): At least 36 people died on Sunday when the Masnait ship sank off the waters of Ambon island, officials said. Rescue workers and local residents saved 85 passengers, who were then evacuated to the police station in Telahu village and its predominantly Muslim Tial village, about 30 kilometers east of here. As of 9 p.m.
Mon, 08 May 2000, 00:00 WIB
Dotcom euphoria
Dotcom euphoria Hardly a day goes by in Indonesia now without a news announcement of a new dotcom company, a new web or portal site, or a new Internet Service Provider opening shop. Although a late starter compared to most other Asian countries, Indonesia has finally been caught up in the dotcom euphoria. Dotcom is probably about the only business that has thrived these past few months while the Indonesian economy struggles to come out of its deep recession.